Looking for a new shed, but don't want to break the bank? Well if you have some basic carpentry skills, the time, and a few friends to give you a hand, consider building your own shed from plans. This also adds the gratification and pride of building your own shed.
Shed plans are an economical choice for building that new shed, be it for gardening, storage, or for hobbies. There are tons of plans out there, for just about any type of shed. This is going to be your biggest challenge in the whole process (although probably the most fun too), plan selection.
We've tried our best to compile a list of details about shed plans to help make things go a little smoother. Better to have all the facts up front before hand, rather than discovering you've over looked something vital once you're into the build stage.
Style is likely going to be your first concern, followed by function and size. Style as we all know, is a personal opinion, but the later two are going to be dictated by what you're intending to use your shed for.
For information, pricing and to customize your shed plans online, visit Summerwood.com.
Let's spend a few minutes talking about shed styles. Styles can be divided into a
several categories, determined primarily by the roof style. Gable roof, Hip
roof, Salt box roof, Corner shed, and Lean to roof.
The next style elements would be the size and any selected
options such as
dormers, doors & windows, weathervanes, cupolas, ramps and other options. How
the options are used and which options are used will greatly influence the
overall style and look of your shed. What you're going to find out when you
start looking at shed plans online, is most websites do not offer you the
flexibility of adding options, or changing sizes - it's a case of what you see
is what you get.
Sizing your shed is pretty straightforward. First question is what are you going
to be using your shed for? Once you know this, go out in the backyard with some
tent pegs and string or rope and stake out the size you have in mind. See how it
fits in with your property and site location, and then walk around within the
space and get a feel for it. Will this provide enough room for what you're
looking to do?
This is also the time when you can make a decision about the orientation of doors and windows. Will there be enough light? What sides of the shed do you want doors located on? How does the location impact the surrounding landscape?
Shed Plan Options
Directly proportional to size, option selection is limited by the size of your shed. In other words, you can only fit so many doors, windows and other options on a 5 x 8 shed, whereas your choices open up on a 12 x 16 shed. Short of size, options play a huge role in the look of the shed, so have some fun with this and get something with a little character. Either purchase options pre-built with the plans, or go down to your local building supply store, they'll have lots to choose from and it'll save you a ton of time.
True Shed Cost
There are other cost considerations aside from the plans themselves. Obviously you'll need lumber and other materials to actually build the shed, and depending on the size, you may need to make a visit to your local permit office and make sure everything is in order with location, size and other issues specific to your location.
One of the most important issues where permits are concerned is that your standard plan drawings may not be sufficient for the permitting process. Depending on where you are located and what the requirements are of your local permit office, you may need to have an engineer stamp the drawings - they call these "permit drawings". Not to be confused with plan drawings.
Shed Plans - What's Included?
The Shed Structure Plans: The actual building plans for the shed.
Options: All the options selected - separate plans from the main structure plans.
Material Lists: All the materials and supplies.
Cut Lists: Instructions on how to cut and prepare the materials you've purchased.
CAD Drawings: Show the structure framing process.
Assembly Instruction: Takes you through the assembly process.
Assembly Video (internet access required): Offers answers to your how-to questions as well as tips and techniques
Options such as hardware, coppertop cupolas, vinyl windows, are not provided as plans (If you can't make them don't expect plans.). In addition, due to the virtually unlimited choices available for window and door placement, options are provided as separate plan documents and are not likely to be blended into the actual structure plans.
For information, pricing and to customize your shed plans online, visit Summerwood.com.
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